Dr. Diekema was directly involved in the highly publicized 'Ashley' case, in which a severely disabled girl who could not walk, talk or lift her head had her uterus and breasts removed and was given high doses of estrogen to keep her small and to retard her sexual development. Her parents valued Ashley as a part of their family and were worried that her continued growth would affect their ability to care for her and include her in family activities. The procedures were performed in 2004 by physicians at Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center in Seattle.

Dr. Diekema is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, Staff Physician and Director of Medical Ethics at the Children's Hospital and Medical Center in Seattle, Washington and Director of Education at the Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics. He also chairs the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Bioethics.

The Drummond lecture is delivered as a Grand Rounds lecture within the Department of Internal Medicine and CMEs are available. Attendance is open to the public.